Hi mate...If you're interested in running applications, Virtual PC 2004 (Microsoft; US$129) and VMware Workstation 4.5 (VMware; US$189 to download, US$199 with packaging) are both competitive tools for the job. In fact, they're both so refined that your ultimate purchase decision will be affected more by your own needs than by any inherent problems with the programs. While general performance is an important consideration,your eventual uses for the software are more important.
Here are comparison between Microsoft Virtual PC 2004 and VMware Workstation 4.5:

Microsoft Virtual PC 2004

Pros

1.Simple to use
2.More features from VM Additions
3.Smoother Windows support

Perhaps he would be savvy enough to download Virtual PC 2007 which is far better than the old 2004 version, on which your opinions are based.
2007 has much more hardware support, for instance USB support even in Win 98\95 and virtually instant and very robust networking configuration.